China yesterday criticized the United States for flying B-52 bombers in the vicinity of the South China Sea, and demanded that the US take steps to improve military relations amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Defense ministry spokesman Ren Guoquiang told a monthly briefing that China is resolutely opposed to provocative US military actions in the South China Sea- where China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines have rival claims. Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang denied US President Donald Trump's accusation that Beijing is trying to influence the US congressional elections in November.

China demands US act to improve military ties. (2018, September 28). The Philippine Star, p. 17.